# NTSB investigations: Loss of visual reference NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. Page 2 of 5 · 242 cases ## Cases, newest first - [NTSB ERA22FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA010.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cornwall, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 10, 2021 · N637HP · Destroyed > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. - [NTSB ERA22LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA006.md): Cessna 172K · Williston, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 6, 2021 · N78604 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain on approach which resulted in controlled flight into trees. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the approach path, the dark night conditions and the landing… - [NTSB CEN21FA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA297.md): Earthstar Gull 2000 · Curtiss, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2021 · N1712L · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions with dense fog and low clouds, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-imposed… - [NTSB CEN21LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA281.md): Schweizer SGS 1-35 · Wellington, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2021 · N2851H · Substantial damage > The glider pilot’s loss of visual references during the landing approach resulting in an off-airport landing on rough sloping terrain. - [NTSB WPR21LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA166.md): Cessna 140 · Williams, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 16, 2021 · N2506N · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff in night visual meteorological conditions. - [NTSB WPR21FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA143.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350-B3 · Palmer, AK · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 28, 2021 · N351SH · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to adequately respond to an encounter with whiteout conditions, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the (1) operator’s inadequate pilot training program and pilot competency checks,… - [NTSB CEN21FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA150.md): Aviat A-1B · Berwyn, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 6, 2021 · N166WW · Destroyed > A loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain as a result of spatial disorientation during cruise in dark night conditions. - [NTSB WPR21LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA021.md): Robinson R44 · Pahrump, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2020 · N500DL · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while hovering low over a body a water while facing into the sun, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent impact with the lake surface. - [NTSB WPR20LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA319.md): Cessna T182 · Santa Barbara, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 27, 2020 · N157RC · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB CEN20CA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA182.md): Cessna 120 · Chatham, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 15, 2020 · N120MZ · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to continue flight in instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, which forced her to perform a precautionary landing to a muddy field resulting in the airplane nosing over. - [NTSB CEN20CA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA119.md): Cessna 208 · Rhinelander, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 5, 2020 · N706FX · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper decision to continue an instrument approach to landing following a loss of visual reference with the runway, which resulted in the airplane touching down left of the runway in snow and flipping over. - [NTSB ANC20CA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA023.md): Robinson R44 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Feb 21, 2020 · N716JL · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB ANC20FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20FA017.md): Piper PA32R · Tuntutuliak, AK · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 6, 2020 · N7632C · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into reduced visibility, including likely flat light and/or white out conditions, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the operator’s inadequate operational… - [NTSB CEN20FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA034.md): Mooney M20C · Flower Pot, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 8, 2019 · N5557Q · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to initiate and continue the visual flight rules flight into an area of forecast instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control. Contributing was… - [NTSB CEN20WA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20WA024.md): Piper PA32 · Kingston, Canada · Accident · 7 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 28, 2019 · N50DK · Destroyed - [NTSB ANC20LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA004.md): Piper PA32R · Goodnews Bay, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 11, 2019 · N7721C · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to monitor the airplane instruments during a night visual flight rules departure in dark light conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the airplane’s descent into water. - [NTSB CEN20FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA010.md): Cessna 172 · Aberdeen, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 10, 2019 · N6483B · Destroyed > The noncertificated pilot’s decision to fly in dark night instrument conditions, resulting in impact with terrain. - [NTSB GAA19WA574](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19WA574.md): Cirrus SR22 · Pedreguer, Spain · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 15, 2019 · F-HAMP · Destroyed > The government of Spain has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CIRRUS SR22 airplane that occurred on September 15, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Spain's investigation under the provisions… - [NTSB ERA19FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA240.md): Beech F33 · Hatboro, PA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2019 · N4082S · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the departure climb after entering instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB ERA19FA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA234.md): Cirrus SR22 · Americus, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N921CD · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to depart in dark instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and pilot-rated passenger’s self-induced pressure to… - [NTSB GAA19CA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA423.md): Cessna 182 · Salmon, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2019 · N4876N · Substantial damage > The pilot's delayed decision to abort the landing on a wet grass runway and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Contributing to the accident was the wet runway which degraded braking. - [NTSB GAA19WA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19WA417.md): De Havilland DHC2 · Chibogamau, Canada · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 12, 2019 · C-GRHF · Substantial damage > The government of Canada has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a DE HAVILLAND DHC2 airplane that occurred on July 12, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Canada's investigation under the… - [NTSB ERA19FA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA191.md): Agusta A109 · New York, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 10, 2019 · N200BK · Destroyed > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to initiate the flight into marginal visual flight rules and instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control. - [NTSB CEN19FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA140.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Eagle Lake, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 11, 2019 · N713LA · Destroyed > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to fly into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, and a subsequent impact with terrain. - [NTSB ERA19FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA163.md): Guimbal Cabri · Kent Island, MD · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · May 4, 2019 · N572MD · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent descent into the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight at a low altitude without… - [NTSB WPR19FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA103.md): Cirrus SR22 · Farmington, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 31, 2019 · N173CT · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into an area of forecast instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control. - [NTSB ERA19FA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA116.md): Piper PA28 · Fellsmere, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Mar 5, 2019 · N556PU · Substantial damage > The student pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation following an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the failure of both the pilot and the flight school to ensure that the… - [NTSB WPR19FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA084.md): Cirrus SR22 · Ely, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Feb 16, 2019 · N917SR · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and icing conditions which resulted in a high rate of descent and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the inaccurate weather reporting… - [NTSB WPR19TA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA068.md): Pitts S1 · Torrance, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jan 19, 2019 · N31WK · 2 aircraft · Minor damage > The biplane pilot’s inadequate visual lookout while taxing, which resulted in a ground collision. - [NTSB CEN19LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA051.md): Piper PA 23 · Beaver Island, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 2018 · N2146P · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff which resulted in an impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to see a visible horizon due to the dark night lighting conditions and limited… - [NTSB WPR19FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA025.md): Cessna 182 · Redding, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 16, 2018 · N2629R · Substantial damage > The pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control after takeoff in dark night instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB ERA19LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA012.md): Piper PA34 · Westhampton Beach, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2018 · N593MS · Destroyed > The instructor's decision to conduct and continue a visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions with a known flight instrument anomaly, which resulted in spatial disorientation, causing a loss of airplane control and subsequent… - [NTSB ERA19FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA010.md): Vans RV8 · Culpeper, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Oct 12, 2018 · N804RL · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of attitude orientation while maneuvering at low altitude in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain. - [NTSB ERA19FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA003.md): Piper J3C · Fancy Gap, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 2018 · N38811 · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to undertake a flight into forecast instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and his subsequent decision to continue the flight after encountering IMC, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.… - [NTSB ANC18TA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18TA070.md): Cessna U206 · Willow, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Sep 9, 2018 · N8070Z · Substantial damage > The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain control during a night landing pattern crosswind turn due to spatial disorientation and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with terrain. - [NTSB CEN18FA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA368.md): Piper PA32RT · St Ignace, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2018 · N500MJ · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude after takeoff in dark night conditions which resulted in a collision with the water. - [NTSB WPR18FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA232.md): Hughes 369 · Granger, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2018 · N530FU · Destroyed > The failure of both pilots to see and avoid a power line while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's decision to not follow the training syllabus and allow the low-level high-speed flight. - [NTSB DCA18IA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA18IA265.md): Gulfstream G IV · Philadelphia, PA · Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Incident · Final report · Aug 11, 2018 · N619A · No damage > The flight crew’s misalignment of the airplane with a taxiway instead of the assigned runway, resulting in a low-altitude go-around late in the final approach and reduced separation with the airplanes on the taxiway. - [NTSB ERA18FA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA197.md): Piper PA32R · Lincolnton, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2018 · N38523 · Substantial damage > The noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete… - [NTSB ANC18FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA053.md): De Havilland DHC 3 · Hydaburg, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 2018 · N3952B · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB ANC18FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA036.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Whittier, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · May 12, 2018 · N7061W · Substantial damage > The student pilot's decision to depart and continue on a solo cross-country flight through mountainous terrain in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB ERA18FA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA127.md): Cessna 525 · Crozet, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 16, 2018 · N525P · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control while operating in night instrument meteorological conditions as a result of spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate an airplane after consuming alcohol and his resulting… - [NTSB GAA18CA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA215.md): Page Russell L Long EZ · Wakefield, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 13, 2018 · N27RP · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to secure the canopy before flight, which resulted in the airplane striking a fence during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the Before Takeoff checklist and In-flight Canopy Opening checklist… - [NTSB WPR18LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA113.md): Schweizer G 164B · Stockton, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2018 · N3629E · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. - [NTSB ERA18LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA094.md): Cessna 172 · Ocean City, MD · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 1, 2018 · N615JA · Destroyed > The pilot's flight in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in an impact with water for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. - [NTSB WPR18FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA084.md): Cessna 182T · Santee, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2018 · N3525T · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to take off into instrument meteorological conditions that resulted in spatial disorientation, and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB GAA18CA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA095.md): Cessna 150 · Nampa, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 2, 2018 · N3229V · Substantial damage > The pilot’s geographic disoriention during a night flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing. - [NTSB CEN18FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA061.md): Cessna 340 · Bartow, FL · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2017 · N247AT · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation during takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB WPR18FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA053.md): Browning Gregory S Zodiac 601XL · Thompson's Station, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2017 · N929GB · Substantial damage > The sport pilot's decision to depart in and continue flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB ANC18FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA012.md): Cessna U206 · Maunaloa, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2017 · N732DF · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions while conducting an instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?page=3 ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '402' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence?page=2 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.